Reflection of Bend Research Trip The field trip to Bend Research Inc. was outstanding, and the idea that I had about this place changed completely after the trip. My first thought about Bend Research Inc. was with security guys and maybe electric cables surrounding the building, but not at all. The location and view was quite charming. Somehow I was late getting lost in Tumalo road, but I couldn’t miss such an important event! I was surprised when the receptionist came outside the door saying: Hey you! It is fine come in. She escorted me through the building while looking for the COCC students, and I thought that was very nice of her. Very friendly environment, it seemed like the people that works there really enjoy their job, by going out of there way and explaining us about their performance, what they do in the facilities, and how each of the equipment works. There were three things that really caught my attention, the cell culture room, the NMR room, and the new technology development room.
The cell room was one of the first rooms we went in. In this room they immortalized human cells in small dishes and preserved them alive through having the right temperature, and other biological/chemical aspects. The NMR room had two NMR machines, one newer and bigger than the other, was interesting because we have been studying aspects of the NMR in class and to see the use of it in real life was definitely nice. The development of a new drug really captured my attention because of the procedures and reasonable safety process when creating a new drug. It is very interesting how many drugs that have been used for years such as aspirin probably wouldn’t be in the market now. This to me sounded very interesting, since I was reading about how medicine was before the FDA existed, when children were consuming drugs such as opium and cocaine in regular basis (glad the FDA appeared and are getting stricter over the years). The development of a new drug seems very interesting, although it takes many years, but I think it’s definitely worth it. I connected the development of a drug with retrosynthesis and the whole synthesis procedures that we have been learning in class.
This trip answered many questions that I had about chemistry. Such as: Why am I studying these topics? How can I use this in real life? Chemistry is an enormous field, and all the reactions we are learning in class is just the base or tool that can be used in the future by having an idea and passing through the challenges to make a new drug that can be commercialized and help millions of people. The Bend Research visit opened my mind to the possibility of new fields and studies. In general I would say going to Bend research was both educational and meaningful.
Thank you for your thoughtful comments! Mush of chemistry is mysterious to people, so it does seem really valuable to get the experience of visiting a real, working laboratory and seeing very specifically how the things you learn in school connect to real life. I'm glad you made it to the Tumalo lab (we were beginning to think you were completely lost) and I am very glad they were so kind as to invite you in.
The field trip to Bend Research Inc. was outstanding, and the idea that I had about this place changed completely after the trip. My first thought about Bend Research Inc. was with security guys and maybe electric cables surrounding the building, but not at all. The location and view was quite charming. Somehow I was late getting lost in Tumalo road, but I couldn’t miss such an important event! I was surprised when the receptionist came outside the door saying: Hey you! It is fine come in. She escorted me through the building while looking for the COCC students, and I thought that was very nice of her. Very friendly environment, it seemed like the people that works there really enjoy their job, by going out of there way and explaining us about their performance, what they do in the facilities, and how each of the equipment works. There were three things that really caught my attention, the cell culture room, the NMR room, and the new technology development room.
The cell room was one of the first rooms we went in. In this room they immortalized human cells in small dishes and preserved them alive through having the right temperature, and other biological/chemical aspects. The NMR room had two NMR machines, one newer and bigger than the other, was interesting because we have been studying aspects of the NMR in class and to see the use of it in real life was definitely nice. The development of a new drug really captured my attention because of the procedures and reasonable safety process when creating a new drug. It is very interesting how many drugs that have been used for years such as aspirin probably wouldn’t be in the market now. This to me sounded very interesting, since I was reading about how medicine was before the FDA existed, when children were consuming drugs such as opium and cocaine in regular basis (glad the FDA appeared and are getting stricter over the years). The development of a new drug seems very interesting, although it takes many years, but I think it’s definitely worth it. I connected the development of a drug with retrosynthesis and the whole synthesis procedures that we have been learning in class.
This trip answered many questions that I had about chemistry. Such as: Why am I studying these topics? How can I use this in real life? Chemistry is an enormous field, and all the reactions we are learning in class is just the base or tool that can be used in the future by having an idea and passing through the challenges to make a new drug that can be commercialized and help millions of people. The Bend Research visit opened my mind to the possibility of new fields and studies. In general I would say going to Bend research was both educational and meaningful.
Thank you for your thoughtful comments! Mush of chemistry is mysterious to people, so it does seem really valuable to get the experience of visiting a real, working laboratory and seeing very specifically how the things you learn in school connect to real life. I'm glad you made it to the Tumalo lab (we were beginning to think you were completely lost) and I am very glad they were so kind as to invite you in.
The people out there are very nice.
Carol